24/07/2018

Early Stage Researcher position available as PhD scholarship in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN European Training Network GLYCOVAX on Development and application of polysaccharide-specific monoclonal antibodies

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ORGANISATION/COMPANY

University of Rijeka Faculty of Medicine
RESEARCH FIELD

Biological sciences › Laboratory animal science

Chemistry › Biochemistry
RESEARCHER PROFILE

First Stage Researcher (R1)
APPLICATION DEADLINE

27/08/2018 00:00 - Europe/Brussels

LOCATION

Croatia › Rijeka
TYPE OF CONTRACT

Temporary
JOB STATUS

Full-time
HOURS PER WEEK

40
OFFER STARTING DATE

01/10/2018
EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
REFERENCE NUMBER

ESR17
MARIE CURIE GRANT AGREEMENT NUMBER

675671

The GLYCOVAX network –A TRAINING NETWORK FOR THE RATIONAL DESIGN OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF WELL-DEFINED GLYCOCONJUGATE VACCINES – aims at the education of promising young scientists who will learn how to rationally design well-defined and innovative glycoconjugate vaccines to improve current preventive therapies and tackle unmet medical needs. GLYCOVAX is based on a profound interaction between the academic and industrial sectors, involving 8 academic groups and 2 industrial partners with complementary expertise in chemical/enzymatic synthesis of carbohydrates, conjugation techniques, high throughput screening technology, structural glycobiology, vaccinology and immunology. In this highly multidisciplinary environment 14 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will be trained in the growing field of glycoscience and vaccinology, enriching their skills and combining different state-of-the-art methodologies for the rational design of innovative glycoconjugates.

The research activities implemented in the 4 scientific Work Packages of GLYCOVAX will be applied to epidemiologically relevant disease areas of meningitis, neonatal infections, and nosocomial infections.

Each of the 14 ESRs ESRs will be enrolled in the PhD programme of the beneficiary’s organization (the beneficiaries which do not award PhD will establish agreements with local and international universities that can provide the degree) and will participate in the network’s training activities and work placements at the laboratories of the participating academic and industrial partners. In addition, the training programme of the recruited ESRs will be supplemented by regular meetings and workshops within the GLYCOVAX International Training Network.

ESR recruited by the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine will be engaged on development and application of polysaccharide-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Antibodies directed to capsular polysaccharides form an emerging component in the modern age of antibacterial prevention strategies. Therefore, our aim is to determine the function of the newly developed mAbs to streptococcal and meningococcal capsular polysaccharides by applying opsonophagocytosis and killing assays. Moreover, antibody structure–function relationships will be examined by providing conventional (enzymatically generated) and recombinant Ab derivatives (obtained by cloning of variable region and transfection of mammalian cells) that will be purified by affinity chromatography and used in crystallographic studies. New mAb candidates, such as the mAbs to the serogroup A meningococcal polysaccharide will be developed and several new protocols for anti-polysaccharide Ab screening will be set up, such as the high-throughput inhibitory ELISA screening during the process of mAb production.

Additional Information

Benefits

The ESR will be contractually employed by University of Rijeka Faculty of Medicine and will be covered under the social security scheme. He or she will receive a Monthly Living Allowance plus a Mobility Allowance compliant with the applicable EC Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions-ITN general conditions.

Eligibility criteria

Mobility eligibility requirement: The fellow must not have resided in the country where the research training activities will take place for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date (and not have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in that country).

Experience eligibility requirement: Eligible applicants must have less than 4 years research experience (Early Stage Researcher) at the signature of the contract (measured from the time the Master’s degree has been obtained).

Eligible applicants must not have a PhD yet.

Web site for additional job details

http://capri.com.hr/job-opportunities

https://www.glycovax.eu/

Requirements

Offer Requirements

REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL

Biological sciences: Master Degree or equivalent

Chemistry: Master Degree or equivalent
REQUIRED LANGUAGES

ENGLISH: Good

Skills/Qualifications

A suitable background for the open position includes formal education in the field of natural sciences (molecular biology or biochemistry) or biotechnology (molecular biotechnology)

Expertise in molecular cloning techniques, cell culture and protein production and analysis, and Elisa assays will be advantage.

Specific Requirements

Eligible applicants must not have a PhD yet.

Gender: Applications from qualified female researchers are strongly encouraged.

Application Procedure

The applicant must send the following documents to the email specified within 25^th August 2018:

1) an updated CV;

2) a letter giving reason for his/her motivation for the post;

3) at least 2 reference letters (in English), at least one of them from one former supervisor and/or lecturer;

5) the scan of the degree (usually the Master Degree) which would formally entitle him/her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher will be recruited. In case the degree has not been obtained yet, it is necessary to send a declaration of the university stating that the degree will be obtained before the expected starting date;

6) evidence of work experience (if applicable)

Applications must be in English and will be evaluated against the following criteria:

- Educational record;

- scientific quality of the applicant’s CV;

- expected individual impact and benefit to the fellow and to the project.

- previous experience in the subject of GLYCOVAX research programme.